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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannankaruthaa Kili

From Sivagangai Seemai · 1959

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Leela, Chorus
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Sivagangai Seemai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannangkaruththa kiliDeep black parrot
Kattazhagan thotta kiliThe parrot touched by the handsome man
Anna nadai pottaaladiShe walked with a swan-like gait, my dear
En chellammaaMy beloved girl
Sonna mozhi kettaaladiShe listened to the words spoken
Female
Kannangkaruththa kiliDeep black parrot
Kattazhagan thotta kiliThe parrot touched by the handsome man
Anna nadai pottaaladiShe walked with a swan-like gait, my dear
En chellammaaMy beloved girl
Sonna mozhi kettaaladiShe listened to the words spoken
Female
Sembu silai ezhudhiDrawing a copper idol
Sevaththa pillai per ezhudhiWriting the name of the fair young man
Nambi nambi ponaaLadiShe went along trusting him completely
En chellammaMy beloved girl
Nal vaakku thandhaanadiHe gave her his good word
Female
Sembu silai ezhudhiDrawing a copper idol
Sevaththa pillai per ezhudhiWriting the name of the fair young man
Nambi nambi ponaaLadiShe went along trusting him completely
En chellammaMy beloved girl
Nal vaakku thandhaanadiHe gave her his good word
Female
Kannangkaruththa kiliDeep black parrot
Kattazhagan thotta kiliThe parrot touched by the handsome man
Anna nadai pottaaladiShe walked with a swan-like gait, my dear
En chellammaaMy beloved girl
Sonna mozhi kettaaladiShe listened to the words spoken
Chorus
Thaiyana thandhaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thandhana thaiyaa thandhana thaiyaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thaiyana thandhaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thaiyana thandhana thandhana thaiyaanaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
AhahaaAhahaa
Thaiyana thandhana thandhana thaiyaana hoi(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Female
Aaththu pakkam pogaiyileWhile going near the river
Adukku malli pooveduthuPlucking layered jasmine flowers
Chorus :Aaaaaa ..aa….aaa….Chorus: Aaaaaa ..aa....aaa....
Female :Aaththu pakkam pogaiyileFemale: While going near the river
Adukku malli pooveduthuPlucking layered jasmine flowers
Alli kondai pottaaladiShe gathered them and tied them in her hair bun
En chellammaaMy beloved girl
Thulli vandhu paarththaanadiHe leaped forward and looked at her
Alli kondai pottaaladiShe gathered them and tied them in her hair bun
En chellammaaMy beloved girl
Thulli vandhu paarththaanadiHe leaped forward and looked at her
Female
Kannangkaruththa kiliDeep black parrot
Kattazhagan thotta kiliThe parrot touched by the handsome man
Anna nadai pottaaladiShe walked with a swan-like gait, my dear
En chellammaaMy beloved girl
Sonna mozhi kettaaladiShe listened to the words spoken
Chorus
Thaiyana thandhaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thandhana thaiyaa thandhana thaiyaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thaiyana thandhaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thaiyana thandhana thandhana thaiyaanaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
AhahaaAhahaa
Thaiyana thandhana thandhana thaiyaana hoi(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Female
Kannum kannum pesaiyilaeWhen eyes conversed with eyes
Kanni ponnu aasiayilaeIn the longing of a maiden girl
Chorus :Aaaa ….aa…..aaaa….aa…Chorus: Aaaa ....aa.....aaaa....aa...
Female :Kannum kannum pesaiyilaeFemale: When eyes conversed with eyes
Kanni ponnu aasiayilaeIn the longing of a maiden girl
Mella mella vandhaanadiHe came softly and gently, my dear
En chellamaaMy beloved girl
Alli kondu ponaanadiHe swept her off her feet and took her away
Mella mella vandhaanadiHe came softly and gently, my dear
En chellamaaMy beloved girl
Alli kondu ponaanadiHe swept her off her feet and took her away
Female
Kannangkaruththa kiliDeep black parrot
Kattazhagan thotta kiliThe parrot touched by the handsome man
Anna nadai pottaaladiShe walked with a swan-like gait, my dear
En chellammaaMy beloved girl
Sonna mozhi kettaaladiShe listened to the words spoken
Chorus
Thaiyana thandhaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thandhana thaiyaa thandhana thaiyaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thaiyana thandhaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
Thaiyana thandhana thandhana thaiyaanaa(Rhythmic folk vocalization)
AhahaaAhahaa
Thaiyana thandhana thandhana thaiyaana hoi(Rhythmic folk vocalization)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannangkaruththa Kili is a traditional Tamil folk song from the 1959 historical film Sivagangai Seemai. The song narrates the blossoming romance of a young woman using evocative rural imagery. She is fondly referred to as a black parrot with a swan-like walk who trusts her beloved handsome suitor completely after he gives his word.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kannangkaruththa kili

Compares the dark, beautiful young woman to a dark parrot (Kannangkaruththa kili) and her gait to that of a swan (Anna nadai).

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kannangkaruththa kili / Anna nadai pottaaladi

The second consonant 'n' rhymes across consecutive lines (Kannangkaruththa / Anna).

Adukku Thodaru (Repetition for Emphasis)

Nambi nambi ponaaLadi

Words like 'Nambi nambi' (trusting repeatedly) and 'Mella mella' (gently/softly) are repeated to intensify emotion and cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sivagangai Seemai (1959) was written and produced by poet Kannadasan under his banner Kannadasan Films, featuring music composed by the iconic Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo. The film depicted the historical struggle of the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers against British colonial expansion.

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